LIMA Ė The Japanese premier and the Peruvian president lauded their countriesí long-running bilateral cooperation through 140 years of diplomatic relations and highlighted their respective policies of economic openness towards the Pacific region, during the formerís official visit to the Andean nation.

Japanís Shinzo Abe, who arrived in Lima on Friday, will attend the Leadersí Summit of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum being hosted by the Peruvian capital over the weekend.

Abe noted that in Latin America Japan enjoys its longest-running diplomatic relations with Peru, and pointed to the two nationsí shared values of freedom, democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Following a meeting between members of their respective cabinets, Abe said in a press release that both Tokyo and Lima are important players in regional trade forums like the APEC, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and the Pacific Alliance.

He said they had reaffirmed their commitment to making efforts for an early enactment of the TPP, an agreement that will serve as a base for a future free trade pact in the Asia Pacific.

Abe welcomed the open and liberal economic policies of Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and said Japanese business leaders have faith in him.

The visiting prime minister also announced plans to encourage Japanese participation in Peruvian infrastructure, one of the main concerns of the Kuczynski-led administration.

Meanwhile, Kuczynski said important pacts were signed in areas of telecommunications and mining development.

Both leaders recognized the potential of developing business opportunities in the non-traditional agricultural sector as well as in small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The Peruvian head of state also requested Abeís backing for Peruís entry into the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) while the latter spoke of Japanís wish to undertake a sustainable tourism project in the Amazon.

In the arena of international politics, both leaders strongly condemned North Koreaís nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, and urged the regime of Kim Jong-un to cease provocations and comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

They also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.

Following the meeting, the Peruvian president hosted a dinner for the Japanese premier and his delegation at the Government Palace.

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